"Uncaring"

I attended the MIU as I had fallen and hurt my ankle. My ankle was very swollen and I couldn't put any weight on it. I have not attended hospital as a patient myself ( I have with various family members), but I was disgusted with the way I was treated. The only really lovely people I encountered were the reception staff. It went down hill from then on. I was called in to triage by a nursing assistant who took a few details of my injury. I explained that I had a severely disabled child I needed to get back to by 2.45pm at the latest (it was 1.00pm) They looked at me and said I'd be lucky to be out by then. There were 2 other people in the waiting room! I then had to try and get hold of people to organise care for my son. I was called in by the senior sister after about an hour. They examined my ankle and said I needed an X-ray. All great if they'd drop the attitude. They were rude, uncaring and totally without compassion. I have met an awful lot of healthcare professionals in my time, this one was a disgrace to their profession. After about another half hour I was called in for X-ray. The X-ray technician was also rude and I felt I was too much trouble for them. I had not been in hospital before and this seemed to be a problem, as I wasn't registered. After lots of huffing and puffing and asking personal questions in the middle of the waiting room! I eventually had my X-ray. I asked if they would have a look to see if there was a break, as I was so worried how I could look after my disabled son if it was. They told me is wasn't. Huge relief. However, I was then wheeled back into the waiting room, to see the nurse again. They were their usual uncaring, rude self and said I'd just have to use the ankle and get on with it. I wasn't offered crutches, or even a support for my ankle. They said I could use my sons wheelchair as support! I couldn't put weight through my ankle without severe pain. I had to hop (much to their disgust) from the waiting room to the entrance to get a lift. No help was offered at all. There were leaflets on the table about being a carer, no help was offered or support given to me as a carer, even though they were fully aware I had a disabled son. Eventually I got home to a very distressed son at nearly 4pm. I couldn't see any reason for the time it took for me to be seen. Neither could the other people waiting with me. Such a shame that a few rude and uncaring people can let a service down. I will not attend Tiverton Hospital again.